Diaphragm for talking-machines.



W. W. YOUNG.

Y DIAPHRAGM FOR TALKING MACHINES.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 16, 1907.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

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WILLIAM W. YOUNG, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

DIAPHRAGM FOR TALKING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17', 1908.

Application filed January 16, 1907. Serial No. 352,527.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM V. YOUNG, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented a. new and useful Diaphragm for Talking-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in sound reproducing and modifying devices designed to be employed with .phonographs and other so-called talking-machines. and consists essentially of a disk of comparatively thick fabric and means to support the same in the horn or other sound conduit of a machine, together with such other features as it may be deemed expedient to associate therewith, all as hereinafter set forth. For this purpose a felt disk has been found to as good. if not better results than disks of other materials, such disk being supported in a flanged ring or collar with a wire-gauze disk on one or both sides. The wire-gauze disk or disks not only serve to support the fabric disk in the collar, but also advantageously modify the tone to some considerable extent, as well as the last-mentioned disk. Other disks, preferably of stiff gauze fabric as horsehair, may be added, if de sired, with the same end in view.

The object of my invention is to provide, in a convenient form for use in connection with talking-machines, a diaphragm which will soften and mellow the sounds produced by such machines. This device breaks up the sound waves which pass through it, takes out the metallic ring and the rumbling and rasping sound often present, and transforms the vibrations into clear and distinct tones. I attain this object by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l. is a cross-section of the diaphragm, showing the same supported in the horn of a talking-machine; Fig. 2, a side view of said diaphragm; Fig. 3, an edge view of the diaphragm as it appears in. the goose-neck of a machine; Fig. 4, a cross-section of a slightly modified form of the device, and, Fig. 5, a side view of the latter.

Similar figures refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The device shown in the drawings is made up of a thick fabric or felt disk 1., a gauze fabric or horsehair disk 2, two outer wiregauze disks 3, and a ring or collar 4 provided with inturned flanges 55 on both sides and capable of holding the several disks compactly together and thus making a neat and convenient diaphragmal. member out of the different parts when considered as a whole. The aforesaid disks may be perforated and fastened together with an eyelet 6, as shown in the last two views. The flanged collar 4: and the wire-gauze disks 3 really constitute a casing or case for the other disks if both be used, or for the disk 1 when that is used alone. The disks 3 have the required amount of strength or firmness to form the sides of the case, and at the same time they not only permit the sound waves to pass through them, but improve the tone of the same.

As already stated the disk 2 may be omitted, but when used this disk like the others serves to mellow and improve the tone of the instrument with which the diaphragm is connected. It is immaterial upon which side of the diaphragm the disk 2 is placed; furthermore, such disks may be employed on both sides if desired. The disk 1 is the most important one since it is that which produces the greatest effect on sound and will improve it to a very great extent in the absence of other mediums for a like purpose.

lVhen the eyelet G is employed some of the volume of sound emanating from the machine is enabled to pass through the dia phragm without being modified to the same extent as that which passes through the sur rounding parts of said diaphragm, or in any event the modification is different in kind anddegree, and the resulting tone is in many cases as desirable as the tone produced by the diaphragm which has no eyelet there in. The eyelet brings about different results, too, for the reason that it binds the several. disks together within the field of their actual operation, that is, inside of the flanges 5, and so changes their rate of vibrati on and the rate of vibration of the volume of sound passing through the diaphragm. This eyelet may be placed in the center of the diaphragm, as shown, or at one side of the center, and more than one may be provided, in a single diaphragm. The eyelet might be used with a diaphragm made up of fewer parts than are shown; then again the eyelet might be omitted from. the opening which is adapted to receive it and the disk or disks having such opening therein employed without it.

The diaphragm is placed in any convenient and suitable manner in the horn, the

gooseneck, or other tubular part of a talking-machine. A portion of a horn is represented at T, in Fig. l, with the diaphragm supported therein by means of a holder 8 provided with a collar 9 to which the collar a is pivoted at 10-10. This arrangement enables the diaphragm to be opened by turning it on the pins 10, for the purpose of in creasing the volume of tone.

The means of supporting the diaphragm in this case is not herein claimed for the reason that it forms the subject matter of an application for United States Letters Patent filed by me January 9th, 1907, and serially numbered 351,419.

In Fig. 3 a goose-neck 11 appears with the diaphragm located therein at the upper end of the elbow.

The omission of one of the wire-gauze disks 3 would not render the device inoperative or unserviceable, and the same is true of the omission of both of such disks, nevertheless, the presence of both of these disks is greatly to be preferred for the reason that the value of the diaphragm is then very much enhanced on account of the better results obtained therewith, and also from a commercial standpoint owing to the increased durability and improved appearance.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, a diaphragm, comprising a fabric disk of substantial thickness, and a confining collar provided with inturned flanges on both sides for the edges of such disk, such collar w'th its disk being adapted to be inserted in and removed from a tubular part of a sound-producing or -reproducing instrument or machine.

2. As a new article of manufacture, av diaphragm. for talking-machines, comprising a fabric disk, a gauze disk, and a confining collar provided with inturned flanges on both sides for the edges of such disks, said collar and gauze disk forming a case for the fabric disk.

3. is a new article of manufacture, a diaphragm, comprising a perforated fabric disk of substantial thickness, and a confining collar provided with inturned flanges on both sides for the edges of such disk, said collar and its disk being adapted to be inserted in and removed from a tubular part of a souinlproducing or -reprodueing instrument or machine.

4. As a new article of manufacture a diaphragm, for talking machines, comprising a fabric disk, a gauze disk, and a confining collar provided with inturned flanges on both sides for the edges of such disks, said disks having alining openings therethrough, and said collar and gauze disk forming a case for the fabric disk.

As a new article of manufacture. a diaphragm, comprising a perforated fabric disk of substantial thickness, an eyelet in the perforation in such disk, and a confining collar for the edges of the disk, said collar with its disk being adapted to be inserted in and removed from a tubular part of a soundproducing or -reproducing instrument or machine.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a diaphragm for talking-niacinnes, comprising a fabric disk, a gauze disk, said disks having alining openings 'theretln'ough, an eyelet in such openings, and a confining collar for the edges of the disks, said collar and gauze disk forming a case for the fabric disk.

7. The combination, in a diaphragm for talking-machines, of a case consi ting of a flanged collar and gauze disk sides and a fabric disk within such case.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a diaphragm, for talking-niachines, comprising a fabric disk, gauze disks both sides of said fabric disk, all of the disks having alining openings therethrough, and a flanged collar adapted to receive the disks and to conline them at the edges, said collar and gauze disks forming a case for the fabric disk.

As a new article of manufacture a diaphragm, for talking-machines, coii'i1.- 'i siiig a fabric disk, gauze disl's both sides of said fabric disk, all of the disks having alining openings therethrough, an eyelet in such openings, and a flanged collar ada ited to receive the disks and to confine them at the edges, said collar and gauze disks forming a case for the fabric disk.

WILLIAM \V. YOUNG.

lVitnesses P. H. ATARTIN,

F. A. CUTTER. 

